Earn up to 5% Cash Back with the BBVA Compass NBA Credit Card
Every now and then, a bank comes up with a clever marketing scheme to attract a given fan base to a product. Last year, BBVA Compass did this with the BBVA Compass NBA Credit Card from American Express, offering 5x points on all spending during the February NBA All Star Weekend and the NBA Finals in June. The bank is repeating this promotion in 2016.
The NBA American Express Credit Card has no annual fee and is currently offering a limited-time sign-up bonus of 20,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. Points can be utilized for one of a few basketball-specific redemptions, but are really worth their weight in the form of 1% cash back. The card earns:
- 5x points on all purchases, including non-NBA-related items, during the NBA All-Star Weekend and two weeks of the NBA finals
- 3x points on transactions for qualifying NBA tickets, NBA in-stadium transactions and NBAStore.com transactions
- 2x points at gas stations and supermarkets
The 5x points category is the kicker, as during the All-Star Weekend and two whole weeks of the finals you earn 5% cash back on all spending — everywhere — uncapped. Considering that All-Star Weekend is just a few weeks away — and that BBVA is known to take a while to approve new applications — now's the time to apply to make sure you're all set up for February 12-14.
It's also important to get the card as soon as possible so you can develop spending habits before the bonus periods start so you won't end up having your card frozen due to any large purchases and miss out on valuable 5% cash back. Too bad I couldn't wait to buy my car with this card during the All-Star weekend, as I would gladly have taken another 5% off the purchase price.
Given the perks — plus no annual fee, the current $200 sign-up bonus and the 5x bonus bringing excitement back to what's usually a rather boring All-Star weekend from the pure basketball perspective — I find this card to be well worth it. You can also select any of the NBA teams to personalize your card — if you see someone burning a whole in an Atlanta Hawks-branded piece of plastic in February, it could very well be me.
The icing on the cake is a possibility mentioned in some forums: The 5x stacking with the incumbent 2x spending bonus with gas stations and supermarkets, making for a possible 7x points during February and June. I wouldn't count on it, but wouldn't that be awesome?
Are you going to sign up for the card before the NBA All-Star Weekend?
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.